East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed his concern that a Social Value Act may not be passed into law by the end of this Assembly Term. Mr Dickson commented after asking the Finance Minister on the matter in the Assembly. Mr Dickson said: “A Social Value Act has been on the agenda for […]
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has welcomed the latest financial aid package from the Executive, adding additional staff should be put in place immediately to ensure the quick roll out of payments for people and businesses. Speaking after the Finance Minister announced the package, designed to help those affected by the latest set of restrictions, Mr […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has questioned when a multi-million pound fund designed to support the community and voluntary sector will be made to available to organisations to help them through the pandemic. The Department of Finance’s Dormant Accounts Fund takes money from dormant bank and building societies to support capacity and sustainability in the third […]
Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said the failure to face up to the “hard and potentially unpopular” decisions simply wasn’t an option anymore, as MLAs debated the Budget Bill. Naming it a “blindfold budget”, Mr Muir said MLAs had to make decisions without any clear view of what the year ahead may bring. […]
The Alliance Party has today backed the proposed regional rate at the Assembly, almost three months after the initial debate should have taken place, with bills delayed and first payments now due to be taken in June. Speaking this afternoon, Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA said the Party backed the proposed rate which delivers an […]
The UK Government’s refusal to even explore a universal basic income (UBI) is disappointing, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Dr Farry was speaking after urging Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, to work with the Treasury to explore a UBI as a means of recovery from the coronavirus […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir has welcomed the announcement of a £5.7 million support package for Northern Ireland’s airports as the Coronavirus crisis continues. The MLA for North Down described it as an “an important intervention” to help local airports as the pandemic continues. He said: “I welcome this important intervention to ensure local Airports […]
We are far from clear of the COVID-19 crisis, but once it eases, Northern Ireland, alongside much of the world, will face enhanced, ongoing economic challenges for businesses and people. I am sceptical we will automatically see a V-shaped economic slump followed by a sharp recovery. While this economic recession doesn’t arise from demand-related problems, […]
A targeted extension of a rates holiday is essential as part of a strategic package of tailored measures to help businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced the deferral of the issuing of rates for businesses from this month until June. Dr Farry said there […]
The delay and problems in launching the portal for hospitality, tourism, retail and leisure businesses to apply for a grant means some companies will be in even more dire circumstances, Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir was speaking as the portal, allowing such businesses to apply for £25,000 aid, was launched […]